Scanned negative (2-7/8"x 4-7/8"), 1200 DPI, online JPG saved at 72 DPI 1000 pixels on long edge with a MicroTek ScanMaker 9800XL. Scan is full frame of negative. No correction of film errors. Slight sharpness and contrast adjustments.

Copyright

Permission to reproduce this image for other than personal use must be requested from the Director of the Madison-Jefferson County Public Library. Please contact at 420 W. Main Street Madison, IN 47250 (812) 265-2744

Coverage

Indiana-Jefferson County-Madison

Source

Madison-Jefferson County Public Library

Identifier

"Lemen1055- tack factory"

Notes

Eastman-Kodak Brownie Camera No. 2C model A, with No. 130 film. Additional information: The original building was located at 110-112 Depot Street and on May 18, 1899 the Madison Daily Democrat states "few that have not visited the interior of this mammoth concern have any idea of the immensity of the establishment." It goes on to say, "The factory has now been established four years, and it turns out tons and tons of cat nails, wire nails and brads, and every description of tacks, single and double pointed. There are 100 tack machines, 40 cut nail machines and 20 wire nail machines." In addition to the tack and nail business the firm also operated a cooperage with the capacity to produce 1000 barrels a day. The barrels were sold mostly to the flour mills and produce packers of Madison. On December 15, 1916 a fire originated in the packing room that destroyed the original structure. An article soon appeared in the local paper that the Tack Factory intended to relocate and remain in Madison and that the company was in negotiations to purchase the R. Johnson Yarn and Cordage Factory at Second adn Depot Streets. There was soon a canvass of local businessmen to raise $3,000 to encourage the business to re-open. By January, $3, 448 had been raised. Also in December, a shipment of 19 tack machines arrived and workers from the factory began to install them in the old cordage factory. They had already been at work dismantling machinery from the old cordage plant and removing it to make room for the new machines. Most everyone was back to work by now. On January 22, 1917 papers for the sale of the cordage factory were finalized and the Tack Factory officially had a new home. The business has been in production at its present address since. It is now operated by Robertson Incorporated. It is one of the few businesses in Madison that have been in existence for over 100 years. Sources: Madison Daily Democrat; Madison Courier; Historical Files; Sanborn Insurance Maps